Apparatus for coiling hot metal rods



Dec. 16, 1952 MORGAN 2,621,914

APPARATUS FOR COILING HOT METAL RODS Filed Feb. 7, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. MYLEs MORGAN ATTORNEY Dec. 16, 1952 M. MORGAN 2,621,914

APPARATUS FOR COILING HOT METAL RODS Filed Feb. 7, 1950 5 Shets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

MYLES MOR GAN ATTORNEY Dec. 16, 1952 M. MORGAN APPARATUS FOR comm; HOT METAL RODS 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 7, 1950 IN V EN TOR.

ATTORNEY Dec. 16, 1952 MORGAN 2,621,914

APPARATUS FOR COILING HOT METAL RODS Filed Feb. 7, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

MYLES MORGAN ATTORNEY Dec. 16, 1952 M. MORGAN 2,621,914

APPARATUS FOR comm; HOT METAL Roms IN VEN TOR.

MYLES MORGAN ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 16, 1952 APPARATUS FOR COILING HOT METAL RODS Myles Morgan, Worcester, Mass., assignor to Morgan Construction Company, Worcester, Mass, a corporation of Massachusetts Application February 7, 1950, Serial No. 142,908

6 Claims.

This invention relates to the treatment of hot metal rods, and more particularly to apparatus whereby hot rods delivered by a rolling mill may be coiled into bundles and at the same time be rapidly reduced in temperature.

It is a common practice in this art to coil the red hot rods which leave the rolling mill into annular bundles which are transferred to a conveyor. The bundles are allowed to cool as they are carried along by the conveyor. During the appreciable time required for such cooling, the bundles are fully exposed to the atmosphere. As a result considerable scale forms on the rods, and this scale has to be removed by means of acid treatment before the rods can be drawn into wire. When the rods are made of high carbon steel, slow cooling is particularly undesirable since it results in decarburization of the steel.

It is accordingly one object of the invention to provide apparatus for cooling hot metal rods with such rapidity as to minimize the formation of scale thereon.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a simple and inexpensive apparatus which will coil hot metal rod into annular bundles and at the same time cool the rod so rapidly as to avoid appreciable scale formation.

With these and other objects in view, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention resides in the combination of parts set forth in the specification and covered by the claims appended hereto.

In accordance with the invention a hot metal rod is formed into an annular bundle having loosely intermingled convolutions so that the bundle is permeable, and while the bundle is being formed a stream of relatively cool air is caused to flow therethrough. Preferably the bundle is formed about an upright axis, and the air flows upwardly through the central opening in the bundle and thence downwardly through the bundle itself. The preferred form of apparatus comprises an upright cylindrical wall surrounding a coaxial hollow central drum, with a perforated horizontal wall between these parts, to provide an annular trough. Means is provided to form convolutions of the hot rod successively within this trough, and while this is taking place a stream of cool air is directed upwardly through the central drum and thence downwardly through the bundle. In order that a completed bundle may be pushed horizontally out of the apparatus, a portion of the cylindrical Wall forms a gate which can be opened, and the drum can be moved downwardly out of the center of the bundle.

Referring to the drawings illustrating one embodiment of the invention and in which like reference numerals indicate like parts,

Fig. 1 is an elevation of a reel and an associated rod bundle conveyor, the reel parts being in the positions required for forming a bundle;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. l, but with the reel parts in the positions required for discharging a bundle;

Fig. 3 is a section taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a section taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3, but with the reel parts in the positions required for discharging a bundle; and

Fig. 5 is a section taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

In the drawings there is shown a reel I0 arranged to form hot metal rod into annular bundles and to discharge such bundles on to a conveyor II of well-known construction. This conveyor comprises a horizontal top plate I2 having two longitudinally extending parallel slots I4 in its upper surface (Figs. 4 and 5). Two parallel endless chains I5 travel beneath the respective slots and carry dogs I6 which project upwardly through the slots. The dogs on the respective chains are arranged in laterally aligned pairs, so that each pair of dogs may engage an annular rod bundle B and push it along the plate I2.

The particular reel 50 illustrated is of the general type known in the art as a laying reel, such reels being arranged to receive a longitudinally traveling hot metal rod and to bend the rod into a series of superimposed and loosely intermixed stationary generally circular convolutions which form an annular bundle. This reel comprises a hollow base structure I8 located at one side of the conveyor I0 and supporting a horizontal plate [9, the top of this plate being substantially flush with the top of the conveyor plate I2. Above the plate I9 there are provided two upright wall members 20 and 2|, each curved horizontally in substantially a semi-circular arc, the two members jointly forming a complete cylindrical wall as shown in Fig. 5. The rear wall member 28 is suitably fastened in a fixed position to the plate I9 therebeneath, whereas the front wall member 2| forms a gate which may be raised above the plate I9, as will be explained hereinafter, to permit discharge of a completed rod bundle from the reel to the conveyor. A hollow cylindrical drum 23 is mounted 3 within the cylindrical wall formed by the members 2|l2| and coaxial therewith, the drum being somewhat smaller in diameter than the said wall to provide an annular trough 24 (Fig. 3) therebetween having a portion of the plate |9 as its bottom wall. This portion of the plate H3 is provided with openings extending therethrough. The plate I5 is also formed with a central circular opening 26 very slightly exceeding the drum 23 in diameter so that the drum may be drawn downwardly therethrough to permit discharge of a rod bundle, as will be described hereinafter. The drum is provided at its upper end with a horizontal wall 2? having openings 28 extending therethrough.

On the top of the wall member 29 there is mounted a frusto-conical cap or closure 39 which in turn supports a gear box 3| from which the tapered lower end of a vertical rotatable shaft 32 extends downwardly toward the drum 23 and coaxial therewith. This gear box is of the usual construction employed in laying reels, and it contains suitable bevel gearing connecting an electric motor 34 to the shaft 32 to drive the same. The usual revoluble coiler or guide 35 is secured to the lower end of the shaft 32 by a wedge 35, and the usual vertical guide pipe 37 enters the top of the gear box 3| in alignment with the shaft 92. These parts are so constructed and arranged, in accordance with well-known practice, that a hot metal rod may travel downwardly through the pipe 31 and the gear box 3|, and the revolving coiler 35 will lay the rod in the annular trough 24 in the form of superimposed generally circular convolutions. These convolutions will be so loosely intermingled as to provide a permeable annular bundle.

The invention includes means to brin about a flow of relatively cool air through the bundle while it is being formed, thereby cooling the bundle with comparative rapidity and avoiding excessive scale formation on the rod. For this purpose the hollow base structure I8 is shaped to provide a plenum chamber 39 which communicates directly with the open lower end of the drum 23, and further to provide an annular chamber 40 located beneath the plate I9 and communicating directly with the openings 25 therein. As shown in Fig. 3, a fan 4| is arranged to blow air through a duct 42 leading to an opening 44 in one wall of the plenum chamber 39, this duct having a damper 45 therein. A second duct 45 is connected to an opening 4? in one wall of the annular chamber 49. These parts are so constructed and arranged that while a bundle is being formed the fan 4| will blow air through the duct 42 and the opening 415 into the chamber 39. This air will flow upwardly through the drum 23 and the revolving coiler The air will thereupon be diverted by the cap 30 and compelled to flow downwardly through the bundle and the openings 25 into the annular chamber 40, and thence outwardly through the opening 41 into the duct 45. By flowing in contact with the hot rod and absorbing heat therefrom the air will become heated. The duct 45 may serve to conduct the hot air out of the building in warm weather, whereas in cold weather this air may aid in heating the building if desired.

In order to permit stripping of a completed bundle from the reel, mechanism is provided to lower the drum 23 to bring its upper end substantially flush with the surrounding plate H), as shown in Fig. 4. For this purpose a substantial- 1y horizontal bar 49 extends diametrically across the lower end of the drum, and from the central portion of this bar two horizontally spaced vertical struts 50 (Fig. 13) extend downwardly to a lower horizontal bar 5|. The end portions of the lower bar 5| are provided with circular openings 52, and the upper bar 49 is provided with two circular openings 53 which are vertically aligned with the respective openings 52. Two vertical pipes extend through the openings 52 and 53 to guide the drum 23 as it is moved upwardly or downwardly, the lower ends of these pipes being mounted in pipe flanges 55 secured to the bottom wall of the chamber 39. Several thin rings 5'1 surround the lower portions of the pipes 55 to serve as abutments limiting downward movement of the bar 5|. By removing or adding rings, the abutments can be adjusted. For actuation of the drum 23 there is provided a double-acting hydraulic motor or cylinder 59 (Fig. 1) having a reciprocable piston rod 60 which is connected by a link 6| to the lower end of a lever 62, this lever being keyed to one end of a horizontal shaft 63 which is rotatably mounted in the rear portion of the base structure I8 and extends through the plenum chamber 39 in a direction parallel with the conveyor As shown in Fig. 4, the rear end of an arm 65 is keyed to the shaft 63 within the chamber 39, and the front end of this arm extends between the struts 50 and carries a transverse pin 66 from which two links 61 depend, The lower ends of these links are provided with slots 68 through which a transverse pin 69 extends, the ends of this pin being supported in the struts 50. When the arm 65 is lowered as shown in Fig. 4, the slots 68 will permit the bar 5| to rest upon the abutment rings 51.

The motor 59 serves not only to actuate the drum 23 but also to raise and lower the semicircular gate 2| which forms the front wall of the annular trough 24. For this purpose, two pins II project from opposite sides of the upper portion of the gate 2|, and two pins 12 project from opposite sides of the lower portion of the gate, the pin 12 being directly beneath the corresponding pins H. The upper pins 1| engage slots 13 in the front ends of two arms located on opposite sides of the reel, the rear ends of these arms being pivotally connected to the rear portion of the cap 30 by pins 16. The lower pins 12 engage slots 1'! in the front ends of two arm '18 located on opposite sides of the reel, the rear ends of these arms being connected to the rear portion of the rear wall member 20 by pins 19. The slots '13 and H are inclined downwardly and forwardly. The front portion of each upper arm I 5 is connected to the corresponding lower arm '58 therebeneath by a vertical link 8|. The pins 19 are located directly beneath the pins 16, and the vertical spacing of these pins is the same as the vertical spacing of the pins ll-l2. On the rear end of each lower arm 18 there is provided a rearwardly and downwardly extending arm 83 which is connected by a link 84 to the upper end of an arm 85. The arms 85 are keyed to the corresponding ends of the shaft 63, and the arm 85 adjacent the lever 62 may conveniently be formed integral therewith. These various parts are so constructed and arranged that as the motor 59 turns the shaft 63 in a clockwise direction from the position shown in Fig. 1 to that shown in Fig. 2 (as required to lower the central drum 23 of the reel) the arms 15 and 18 will raise the gate 2|. When the gate is in its lowermest position as shown in Fig. 1, the slots 13 and I1 permit the gate to rest upon the plate l9 therebeneath and yet hold it closely against the adjacent portions of the wall member 20. As the arms 15 and 18 start to move upwardly, the slots 13 and 11, because of their inclination, will move the gate slightly forwardly and out of contact with the wall member 20 before raising the gate.

Once the gate 2| has been raised, and the drum 23 has been lowered simultaneously, the completed and cooled bundle B can be pushed forwardly beneath the raised gate on to the conveyor II. This may be accomplished by means of two laterally spaced parallel horizontal pusher rods 81 of well-known construction which extend at right angles with the conveyor and are slidable through slots 88 in the stationary wall member 20. These rods may be actuated in known manner by means of upright arms 89 connected to the rear ends of the rods.

The operation of the invention will now be apparent to those skilled in the art. With the drum 23 raised and the gate 2| lowered, the reel I 0 will be in condition to receive a hot metal rod which will travel downwardly through the pipe 31. The revolving guide 35 will lay the rod in generally circular superimposed convolutions within the trough 24 to form an annular bundle. With the damper 45 open the fan 4! will blow relatively cool air through the duct 42 into the chamber 39, thence upwardly through the drum 23 and the openings 28 in its upper wall, thence outwardly and downwardly through the bundle as it is being formed, and thence downwardly through the openings into the annular chamber 40 and outwardly through the duct 46. Thus a considerable cooling of the bundle will take place during its formation. Upon completion of the bundle, the motor 59 will be energized to turn the shaft 63 as required to lower the arm 65 and the drum 23, while at the same time raising the arms 75 and 13 with the gate 2 l The pusher rods 31 may then be actuated to push the bundle forwardly on to the conveyor l l as indicated in Fig. 4. If desired, the damper 45 can be closed during the discharge of the bundle to stop the air flow, although this may not always be considered necessary. Upon withdrawal of the pusher rods 81, and energization of the motor 59 to raise the drum 23 and lower the gate 2|, the reel will be ready to receive and coil another rod.

By cooling the rod promptly and rapidly while it is being formed into a bundle, the invention greatly reduces scale formation on the rod; hence less acid is required for cleaning the bundles, and the loss in weight of the bundle is less. In the case of high carbon steel, decarburization is avoided. Since the bundles reach the conveyor H at a lower temperature, they may be transferred soon thereafter to the usual hook carrier without danger of distortion, hence the conveyor may be appreciably shorter than would otherwise be required.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Apparatus for treating a hot metal rod comprising a substantially cylindrical wall with its axis upright, a central hollow drum coaxial with the wall and somewhat smaller in diameter, a cover plate above the cylindrical wall to close the space surrounded by said wall, a perforated horizontal wall extending between the cylindrical wall and the drum and spaced downwardly from the top of the drum, a perforated top wall on the drum, a rotatable laying head coaxial with the drum and located directly above the same, the laying head being arranged to bend the rod into a series of generally circular convolutions which are superimposed and loosely intermingled to form a permeable annular bundle within the annular space defined by the cylindrical wall and the drum, and means to produce a stream of air which flows upwardly through the drum and downwardly through the bundle and the perforated horizontal wall while the bundle is being formed.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, in which the cylindrical wall is formed in part by a movable gate, and which further includes means to open the gate, and means to withdraw the drum from the center of the bundle so that the bundle can be removed in a generally horizontal direction.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2, in which the cylindrical wall is divided approximately along an axial plane into two portions one of which forms a gate, the gate being movable upwardly to an open position, and the drum being movable downwardly to withdraw it from the center of the bundle.

4.. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3, in which means is provided to push a completed bundle outwardly beneath the raised gate.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4, in which a single motor serves both to raise the gate and to lower the drum.

6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, in which an annular chamber is provided beneath the perforated horizontal wall in position to receive air which flows downwardly through the perforations therein.

MYLES MORGAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 895,973 Daniels Aug. 11, 1908 1,013,056 Powney Dec. 26, 1911 1,075,702 Edwards Oct. 14, 1913 1,696,806 Lehr Dec. 25, 1928 2,020,940 Gassen Nov. 12, 1935 2,271,379 Statz et a1 Jan. 27, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 644,768 Germany May 13, 1937 

